How to Sew a Lettuce Edge Hem

Sewing a lettuce edge hem on a garment will give it a nice curly effect that is very feminine. This type of hem produces a softly ruffled edge that looks similar to the edges of curly lettuce leaves. The lettuce edge hem is easy to sew and can be done with a regular zigzag stitch on a conventional sewing machine, but it is even easier if it is done with a serger sewing machine. Start off sewing this kind of hem by practicing on an ordinary plain T-shirt, and then go on to other garments that are fancier, such as a blouse or skirt.

Remove the existing hem from the T-shirt or other garment you are practicing on by cutting it off with scissors. Use a thread ripper if you prefer to remove the stitching in the hem by hand rather than just cutting it off. After a hem is removed by hand cut off the excess material to give the garment the original hem length.

Thread your sewing machine with the colour of thread you have chosen. Set the machine to a narrow zigzag stitch and set the differential feed to its lowest setting. Following the user manual, adjust the machine for a rolled hem stitch if you are not using a serger sewing machine.

Lift the needle on your machine by turning the hand wheel towards you. Place your T-shirt or other garment on the machine directly under the presser foot and lower the foot to hold the material in place. Turn the hand wheel again until the needle is inserted into the fabric at the side seam of the garment with the right side of the material facing up.

Grasp the fabric that is in the back of the presser foot with one hand and pull backwards to stretch it. With your other hand pull and stretch the fabric in front of the needle. Begin sewing the zigzag stitch while continuing to stretch the material both ways as you continue zigzagging around the entire edge of the garment.

Zigzag around the edge of the garment twice. Finish off your seam by back stitching a few stitches when you have finally reached the beginning stitches again. Release the material by raising the presser foot and cutting the threads loose.

Tip

Embroidery thread in a contrasting colour can be used to give the lettuce edge hem a shiny colourful look.

Warning

Sewing too quickly can cause gaps in a lettuce leaf edge hem.

Tips and warnings

Embroidery thread in a contrasting colour can be used to give the lettuce edge hem a shiny colourful look.